NBC Announces Return Date for 'Community,' Premieres for Three New Series

"Bent," "Best Friends Forever" and "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" have been added to the spring schedule; network rejiggers Wednesdays.

12:30 PM PST 2/21/2012 by Philiana Ng

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"Commmunity"

NBC has announced the premiere dates of three new series and the anticipated return of Community.

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The network has slated the return of Community in familiar territory, taking over from 30 Rock on Thursday, March 15 at 8 p.m. Community's return pushes 30 Rock to the 8:30 p.m. home, currently held by Parks & Recreation. Parks & Rec will go on hiatus, returning April 19 at 9:30 p.m. after Up All Night finishes its 24-episode run.

Midseason comedies Betty White's Off Their Rockers, Bent and Best Friends Forever will also join NBC's spring lineup.

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Bent, starring Amanda Peet and David Walton, launches Wednesday, March 21 with back-to-back episodes beginning at 9 p.m. The show will continue with one-hour blocks the next two weeks.

Best Friends Forever will debut Wednesday, April 4 at 8:30 p.m. following the premiere of hidden-camera reality series Betty White's Off Their Rockers that same night at 8 p.m. The two series launch following the season finales of Whitney and Are You There, Chelsea the week before.

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“We are happy to have an unprecedented amount of original content on NBC this spring,” said Bob Greenblatt, NBC entertainment chief. “Bent, Best Friends Forever and Betty White’s Off Their Rockers are welcome additions to the Wednesday schedule, and we know that the loyal fans of Community will be pleased with its return to its home on Thursdays at 8:00 p.m.”

Wednesdays will also get slight rejiggering, with Rock Center With Brian Williams moving an hour later to 10 p.m. beginning March 7. It will return to its 9 p.m. slot starting April 11 when Law & Order: SVU returns at 10 p.m. Law & Order: SVU's season finale is slated for May 23.

NBC is touting its spring schedule as including the highest percentage of original programs in network history.